Pre-Law

Learn More!

The Pre-Law concentration under the Political Science major is designed for students
planning to attend law school or become a professional legal assistant. MTSU's Pre-Law
program begins with a basic study of government and encompasses courses in speech,
logic, economics, and legal research and writing. Law careers see continued growth
due to the complexity of the legal system and people's tendency to seek legal remedies
for problems.

What We're Doing

State your case with competition teams

MTSU students get experience in courtroom cases, appellate Supreme Court arguments,
or mediation of disputes through national and regional competition with award-winning
Mock Trial, Moot Court, and Mock Mediation teams. The Mock Trial team regularly places
in the nation's top 10.

Get first-hand experience in the law

To gain a realistic idea of what lawyers do, Pre-Law majors work with individual law
firms for a semester their senior year. Students get credit in the internship program
run in cooperation with the Bar Association of Rutherford and Cannon counties.

Related Media

MTSU True Blue Preview: Pre-Law

2018 MTSU Campus Tour

The law profession includes lawyers, judges, clerks, and legal research assistants.
MTSU's Pre-Law program has placed students in law schools at such institutions as

Boston University

College of William and Mary

Cumberland Law School

Duke University

Nashville School of Law.

Tulane University

University of California-Berkeley (Boalt)

University of Memphis

University of Tennessee Law School

Vanderbilt University

Employers of MTSU alumni include

Paine, Tarwater, and Bickers, LLP, Knoxville, Tennessee

Senior immigration paralegal for law firm

LaPointe & Bulter, PC

Tennessee Center for Policy Research director and general counsel

City of Smyrna, Tennessee, city attorney

Pre-Law is a concentration available for undergraduates pursuing a Bachelor of Arts
(B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Political Science. The Political Science
and International Relations Department also offers a B.A. or B.S. in Political Science
with a general focus, with a concentration in Public Policy and Management, or with Teacher Licensure; and both a Bachelor of Science (B.S) and a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations.

For complete curriculum details, click on the REQUIREMENTS tab above.

The Department of Political Science and International Relations offers minors in Paralegal Studies, Political Science, Public Policy and Management, Political
and Civic Engagement, and International Relations and also coordinates interdisciplinary
minors in Urban Studies, Russian Studies, and African Studies.

Pre-Law (B.A.)

Political Science, Pre-Law Concentration, B.A.

Students majoring in Political Science can choose a general focus or a concentration in either Public Policy and Management or Pre-law.

The Pre-law concentration is designed for the student who plans to attend law school. A combination of core political science courses and courses in related disciplines has been found to provide a sound background for law school. Some law schools will not accept any professional or technical courses as part of their minimum requirement. It is essential that the student consult with his or her advisor in instances where such courses will be taken.

PS 1010 - Introduction to Global Politics

3 credit hours

Meets part of the General Education Social/Behavioral Sciences requirement. Comparative theories and institutions of government. Law, constitutions, power, political socialization, ideologies, and the media.

PS 2000 - Political Science and International Relations as a Profession

1 credit hour

To be taken as early as possible by Political Science and International Relations majors. Provides practical information for majors on career planning and development, including potential careers in law, graduate school and research, government, policy analysis, political campaign management, lobbying, and non-profit management.

PS 3370 - American Constitutional Law I: Government Powers

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of instructor. Analysis of theories of judicial decision making as well as the establishment of judicial review itself, followed by case studies of major Supreme Court decisions in federalism. Issues covered include commerce, contracts, police, and war powers as well as restrictions placed on state governments after the ratification of the Civil War Amendments. Offered fall only.

Prerequisites: PS 1005 and PS 3370 or permission of instructor. The Supreme Court as a policy-making body in the governmental system. Focuses on case studies of major Supreme Court decisions dealing with civil liberties. Issues covered include racial and gender discrimination, freedom of speech and religion, as well as rights of the criminally accused and the right to privacy. Offered spring only.

PS 4800 - Senior Seminar

3 credit hours

Prerequisites: PS 1005, PS 1010, and 12 additional hours of political science courses. A reading and discussion seminar designed to integrate knowledge of the subfields of political science through critical reflection on politics, law, ideology, and culture from both a domestic and global perspective.

PS 4700 - American Political Thought

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005, PS 1010, PHIL 1030, or permission of instructor. Major thinkers and movements in American political thought from colonial times to the twentieth century with special emphasis on the thoughts of the framers of the American Constitution and their contemporaries.

PS 4930 - Introduction to Contemporary Political Philosophy

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005, PS 1010, or PHIL 1030 or permission of instructor. Aims to foster critical thinking about contemporary political philosophy by introducing students to four main approaches: Aristotelianism, Utilitarianism, Contractarian Liberalism, and Marxism. Familiarizes students with certain philosophical arguments about important issues in both national and global politics such as multiculturism, justice, democracy, and freedom.

Pre-Law Cognate (18 hours)

In addition, students should also complete the following courses in consultation with their advisor. This cognate takes the place of one minor (18 hours):

COMM 4650 - History and Theory of Rhetoric

ENGL 4785 - Law and Literature

3 credit hours

Prerequisites: Completion of 1000- and 2000-level English requirements with a grade of C- or better. Introduces interrelations of law and literature as seen in a variety of literary texts and classic writings of great jurists.

ECON 2410 - Principles of Economics, Macroeconomics

3 credit hours

As an aid to understanding modern economic society: economic concepts of national income and its fluctuations, inflation, unemployment, role of the banking system, monetary and fiscal policies, and international topics.

ECON 2420 - Principles of Economics, Microeconomics

3 credit hours

As an aid to understanding modern economic society: economic concepts of consumer and firm behavior; the pricing of goods, services, and productive factors; international topics; and an overview of the American economy.

PS 3530 - Legal Writing and Research

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of instructor. A specialized composition course for the student planning to attend law school or paralegal school or to become a legal secretary. Practice in legal research, documentation, and a variety of legal problems.

ENGL 4605 - Advanced Composition

3 credit hours

Prerequisites: Completion of 1000- and 2000-level English requirements with a grade of C- or better, and ENGL 1020 or ENGL 3605 with a B- or better. Approaches to various writing problems posed in advanced university studies and nontechnical professions: essays, proposals, critical reviews, analyses.

PS 3010 - Women and the Law

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of the instructor. Analysis of the legal treatment of women in the home, school, and workplace. Examines development of law, relationship of law to political movements, and current state of law and legal theory on women's rights and gender equality.

PS 3490 - Alternative Dispute Resolution

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of the department chair. Theory, methods, and ethical components of alternative dispute resolution (ADR); emphasis on various forms of mediation, but including other ADR formats such as arbitration, negotiation, and summary jury trial.

PS 3500 - International Law

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1010 or permission of instructor. General principles of modern international law taught by the case study method in a seminar format encouraging debate and discussion. Issues concerning the development of international law and human rights will be studied.

PS 4590 - Administrative Law

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005, PS 3250, or permission of instructor. Procedural aspects, substantive issues, judicial review of the type of law concerned with the powers and procedures of government agencies and the rights of citizens affected by them.

Foreign Language Requirement (6 hours)

Students must successfully complete 2010 and 2020 or any courses numbered above the 2000 level in a single foreign language.

ENGL 1020 - Research and Argumentative Writing

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: ENGL 1010. The second General Education English course. Emphasis on analytic and argumentative writing and on locating, organizing, and using library resource materials in the writing. Minimum grade of C- required for credit.

PS 1010 - Introduction to Global Politics

3 credit hours

Meets part of the General Education Social/Behavioral Sciences requirement. Comparative theories and institutions of government. Law, constitutions, power, political socialization, ideologies, and the media.

HIST 2010 - Survey of United States History I

3 credit hours

Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. HIST 2010 discusses the era from the beginning to 1877. HIST 2020 discusses the era from 1877 to the present. These courses are prerequisite for all advanced courses in American history and satisfy the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2010

HIST 2020 - Survey of United States History II

3 credit hours

Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. HIST 2010 discusses the era from the beginning to 1877. HIST 2020 discusses the era from 1877 to the present. These courses are prerequisite for all advanced courses in American history and satisfy the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2020

COMM 2200 - Fundamentals of Communication

3 credit hours

Principles and processes of effective public oral communication including researching, critical thinking, organizing, presenting, listening, and using appropriate language. Counts as part of the General Education Communication requirement. TBR Common Course: COMM 2025

PS 2000 - Political Science and International Relations as a Profession

1 credit hour

To be taken as early as possible by Political Science and International Relations majors. Provides practical information for majors on career planning and development, including potential careers in law, graduate school and research, government, policy analysis, political campaign management, lobbying, and non-profit management.

HIST 2010 - Survey of United States History I

3 credit hours

Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. HIST 2010 discusses the era from the beginning to 1877. HIST 2020 discusses the era from 1877 to the present. These courses are prerequisite for all advanced courses in American history and satisfy the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2010

HIST 2020 - Survey of United States History II

3 credit hours

Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. HIST 2010 discusses the era from the beginning to 1877. HIST 2020 discusses the era from 1877 to the present. These courses are prerequisite for all advanced courses in American history and satisfy the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2020

COMM 4650 - History and Theory of Rhetoric

ENGL 4785 - Law and Literature

3 credit hours

Prerequisites: Completion of 1000- and 2000-level English requirements with a grade of C- or better. Introduces interrelations of law and literature as seen in a variety of literary texts and classic writings of great jurists.

ECON 2410 - Principles of Economics, Macroeconomics

3 credit hours

As an aid to understanding modern economic society: economic concepts of national income and its fluctuations, inflation, unemployment, role of the banking system, monetary and fiscal policies, and international topics.

ECON 2420 - Principles of Economics, Microeconomics

3 credit hours

As an aid to understanding modern economic society: economic concepts of consumer and firm behavior; the pricing of goods, services, and productive factors; international topics; and an overview of the American economy.

PS 3370 - American Constitutional Law I: Government Powers

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of instructor. Analysis of theories of judicial decision making as well as the establishment of judicial review itself, followed by case studies of major Supreme Court decisions in federalism. Issues covered include commerce, contracts, police, and war powers as well as restrictions placed on state governments after the ratification of the Civil War Amendments. Offered fall only.

Prerequisites: PS 1005 and PS 3370 or permission of instructor. The Supreme Court as a policy-making body in the governmental system. Focuses on case studies of major Supreme Court decisions dealing with civil liberties. Issues covered include racial and gender discrimination, freedom of speech and religion, as well as rights of the criminally accused and the right to privacy. Offered spring only.

PS 3530 - Legal Writing and Research

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of instructor. A specialized composition course for the student planning to attend law school or paralegal school or to become a legal secretary. Practice in legal research, documentation, and a variety of legal problems.

ENGL 4605 - Advanced Composition

3 credit hours

Prerequisites: Completion of 1000- and 2000-level English requirements with a grade of C- or better, and ENGL 1020 or ENGL 3605 with a B- or better. Approaches to various writing problems posed in advanced university studies and nontechnical professions: essays, proposals, critical reviews, analyses.

PS 4700 - American Political Thought

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005, PS 1010, PHIL 1030, or permission of instructor. Major thinkers and movements in American political thought from colonial times to the twentieth century with special emphasis on the thoughts of the framers of the American Constitution and their contemporaries.

PS 4930 - Introduction to Contemporary Political Philosophy

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005, PS 1010, or PHIL 1030 or permission of instructor. Aims to foster critical thinking about contemporary political philosophy by introducing students to four main approaches: Aristotelianism, Utilitarianism, Contractarian Liberalism, and Marxism. Familiarizes students with certain philosophical arguments about important issues in both national and global politics such as multiculturism, justice, democracy, and freedom.

PS 4800 - Senior Seminar

3 credit hours

Prerequisites: PS 1005, PS 1010, and 12 additional hours of political science courses. A reading and discussion seminar designed to integrate knowledge of the subfields of political science through critical reflection on politics, law, ideology, and culture from both a domestic and global perspective.

PS 3010 - Women and the Law

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of the instructor. Analysis of the legal treatment of women in the home, school, and workplace. Examines development of law, relationship of law to political movements, and current state of law and legal theory on women's rights and gender equality.

PS 3490 - Alternative Dispute Resolution

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of the department chair. Theory, methods, and ethical components of alternative dispute resolution (ADR); emphasis on various forms of mediation, but including other ADR formats such as arbitration, negotiation, and summary jury trial.

PS 3500 - International Law

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1010 or permission of instructor. General principles of modern international law taught by the case study method in a seminar format encouraging debate and discussion. Issues concerning the development of international law and human rights will be studied.

PS 4590 - Administrative Law

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005, PS 3250, or permission of instructor. Procedural aspects, substantive issues, judicial review of the type of law concerned with the powers and procedures of government agencies and the rights of citizens affected by them.

Subtotal: 27 Hours

Pre-Law (B.S.)

Political Science, Pre-Law Concentration, B.S.

Students majoring in Political Science can choose a general focus or a concentration in either Public Policy and Management or Pre-law.

The Pre-law concentration is designed for the student who plans to attend law school. A combination of core political science courses and courses in related disciplines has been found to provide a sound background for law school. Some law schools will not accept any professional or technical courses as part of their minimum requirement. It is essential that the student consult with his or her advisor in instances where such courses will be taken.

PS 1010 - Introduction to Global Politics

3 credit hours

Meets part of the General Education Social/Behavioral Sciences requirement. Comparative theories and institutions of government. Law, constitutions, power, political socialization, ideologies, and the media.

PS 2000 - Political Science and International Relations as a Profession

1 credit hour

To be taken as early as possible by Political Science and International Relations majors. Provides practical information for majors on career planning and development, including potential careers in law, graduate school and research, government, policy analysis, political campaign management, lobbying, and non-profit management.

PS 3370 - American Constitutional Law I: Government Powers

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of instructor. Analysis of theories of judicial decision making as well as the establishment of judicial review itself, followed by case studies of major Supreme Court decisions in federalism. Issues covered include commerce, contracts, police, and war powers as well as restrictions placed on state governments after the ratification of the Civil War Amendments. Offered fall only.

Prerequisites: PS 1005 and PS 3370 or permission of instructor. The Supreme Court as a policy-making body in the governmental system. Focuses on case studies of major Supreme Court decisions dealing with civil liberties. Issues covered include racial and gender discrimination, freedom of speech and religion, as well as rights of the criminally accused and the right to privacy. Offered spring only.

PS 4800 - Senior Seminar

3 credit hours

Prerequisites: PS 1005, PS 1010, and 12 additional hours of political science courses. A reading and discussion seminar designed to integrate knowledge of the subfields of political science through critical reflection on politics, law, ideology, and culture from both a domestic and global perspective.

PS 4700 - American Political Thought

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005, PS 1010, PHIL 1030, or permission of instructor. Major thinkers and movements in American political thought from colonial times to the twentieth century with special emphasis on the thoughts of the framers of the American Constitution and their contemporaries.

PS 4930 - Introduction to Contemporary Political Philosophy

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005, PS 1010, or PHIL 1030 or permission of instructor. Aims to foster critical thinking about contemporary political philosophy by introducing students to four main approaches: Aristotelianism, Utilitarianism, Contractarian Liberalism, and Marxism. Familiarizes students with certain philosophical arguments about important issues in both national and global politics such as multiculturism, justice, democracy, and freedom.

Pre-Law Cognate (18 hours)

In addition, students should also complete the following courses in consultation with their advisor. This cognate takes the place of one minor (18 hours)

COMM 4650 - History and Theory of Rhetoric

ENGL 4785 - Law and Literature

3 credit hours

Prerequisites: Completion of 1000- and 2000-level English requirements with a grade of C- or better. Introduces interrelations of law and literature as seen in a variety of literary texts and classic writings of great jurists.

ECON 2410 - Principles of Economics, Macroeconomics

3 credit hours

As an aid to understanding modern economic society: economic concepts of national income and its fluctuations, inflation, unemployment, role of the banking system, monetary and fiscal policies, and international topics.

ECON 2420 - Principles of Economics, Microeconomics

3 credit hours

As an aid to understanding modern economic society: economic concepts of consumer and firm behavior; the pricing of goods, services, and productive factors; international topics; and an overview of the American economy.

PS 3530 - Legal Writing and Research

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of instructor. A specialized composition course for the student planning to attend law school or paralegal school or to become a legal secretary. Practice in legal research, documentation, and a variety of legal problems.

ENGL 4605 - Advanced Composition

3 credit hours

Prerequisites: Completion of 1000- and 2000-level English requirements with a grade of C- or better, and ENGL 1020 or ENGL 3605 with a B- or better. Approaches to various writing problems posed in advanced university studies and nontechnical professions: essays, proposals, critical reviews, analyses.

PS 3010 - Women and the Law

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of the instructor. Analysis of the legal treatment of women in the home, school, and workplace. Examines development of law, relationship of law to political movements, and current state of law and legal theory on women's rights and gender equality.

PS 3490 - Alternative Dispute Resolution

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of the department chair. Theory, methods, and ethical components of alternative dispute resolution (ADR); emphasis on various forms of mediation, but including other ADR formats such as arbitration, negotiation, and summary jury trial.

PS 3500 - International Law

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1010 or permission of instructor. General principles of modern international law taught by the case study method in a seminar format encouraging debate and discussion. Issues concerning the development of international law and human rights will be studied.

PS 4590 - Administrative Law

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005, PS 3250, or permission of instructor. Procedural aspects, substantive issues, judicial review of the type of law concerned with the powers and procedures of government agencies and the rights of citizens affected by them.

ENGL 1020 - Research and Argumentative Writing

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: ENGL 1010. The second General Education English course. Emphasis on analytic and argumentative writing and on locating, organizing, and using library resource materials in the writing. Minimum grade of C- required for credit.

PS 1010 - Introduction to Global Politics

3 credit hours

Meets part of the General Education Social/Behavioral Sciences requirement. Comparative theories and institutions of government. Law, constitutions, power, political socialization, ideologies, and the media.

HIST 2010 - Survey of United States History I

3 credit hours

Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. HIST 2010 discusses the era from the beginning to 1877. HIST 2020 discusses the era from 1877 to the present. These courses are prerequisite for all advanced courses in American history and satisfy the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2010

HIST 2020 - Survey of United States History II

3 credit hours

Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. HIST 2010 discusses the era from the beginning to 1877. HIST 2020 discusses the era from 1877 to the present. These courses are prerequisite for all advanced courses in American history and satisfy the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2020

COMM 2200 - Fundamentals of Communication

3 credit hours

Principles and processes of effective public oral communication including researching, critical thinking, organizing, presenting, listening, and using appropriate language. Counts as part of the General Education Communication requirement. TBR Common Course: COMM 2025

PS 2000 - Political Science and International Relations as a Profession

1 credit hour

To be taken as early as possible by Political Science and International Relations majors. Provides practical information for majors on career planning and development, including potential careers in law, graduate school and research, government, policy analysis, political campaign management, lobbying, and non-profit management.

HIST 2010 - Survey of United States History I

3 credit hours

Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. HIST 2010 discusses the era from the beginning to 1877. HIST 2020 discusses the era from 1877 to the present. These courses are prerequisite for all advanced courses in American history and satisfy the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2010

HIST 2020 - Survey of United States History II

3 credit hours

Survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects. HIST 2010 discusses the era from the beginning to 1877. HIST 2020 discusses the era from 1877 to the present. These courses are prerequisite for all advanced courses in American history and satisfy the General Education History requirement. HIST 2010 is NOT a prerequisite for HIST 2020. TBR Common Course: HIST 2020

COMM 4650 - History and Theory of Rhetoric

ENGL 4785 - Law and Literature

3 credit hours

Prerequisites: Completion of 1000- and 2000-level English requirements with a grade of C- or better. Introduces interrelations of law and literature as seen in a variety of literary texts and classic writings of great jurists.

ECON 2410 - Principles of Economics, Macroeconomics

3 credit hours

As an aid to understanding modern economic society: economic concepts of national income and its fluctuations, inflation, unemployment, role of the banking system, monetary and fiscal policies, and international topics.

ECON 2420 - Principles of Economics, Microeconomics

3 credit hours

As an aid to understanding modern economic society: economic concepts of consumer and firm behavior; the pricing of goods, services, and productive factors; international topics; and an overview of the American economy.

PS 3370 - American Constitutional Law I: Government Powers

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of instructor. Analysis of theories of judicial decision making as well as the establishment of judicial review itself, followed by case studies of major Supreme Court decisions in federalism. Issues covered include commerce, contracts, police, and war powers as well as restrictions placed on state governments after the ratification of the Civil War Amendments. Offered fall only.

Prerequisites: PS 1005 and PS 3370 or permission of instructor. The Supreme Court as a policy-making body in the governmental system. Focuses on case studies of major Supreme Court decisions dealing with civil liberties. Issues covered include racial and gender discrimination, freedom of speech and religion, as well as rights of the criminally accused and the right to privacy. Offered spring only.

PS 3530 - Legal Writing and Research

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of instructor. A specialized composition course for the student planning to attend law school or paralegal school or to become a legal secretary. Practice in legal research, documentation, and a variety of legal problems.

ENGL 4605 - Advanced Composition

3 credit hours

Prerequisites: Completion of 1000- and 2000-level English requirements with a grade of C- or better, and ENGL 1020 or ENGL 3605 with a B- or better. Approaches to various writing problems posed in advanced university studies and nontechnical professions: essays, proposals, critical reviews, analyses.

PS 4700 - American Political Thought

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005, PS 1010, PHIL 1030, or permission of instructor. Major thinkers and movements in American political thought from colonial times to the twentieth century with special emphasis on the thoughts of the framers of the American Constitution and their contemporaries.

PS 4930 - Introduction to Contemporary Political Philosophy

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005, PS 1010, or PHIL 1030 or permission of instructor. Aims to foster critical thinking about contemporary political philosophy by introducing students to four main approaches: Aristotelianism, Utilitarianism, Contractarian Liberalism, and Marxism. Familiarizes students with certain philosophical arguments about important issues in both national and global politics such as multiculturism, justice, democracy, and freedom.

PS 4800 - Senior Seminar

3 credit hours

Prerequisites: PS 1005, PS 1010, and 12 additional hours of political science courses. A reading and discussion seminar designed to integrate knowledge of the subfields of political science through critical reflection on politics, law, ideology, and culture from both a domestic and global perspective.

PS 3010 - Women and the Law

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of the instructor. Analysis of the legal treatment of women in the home, school, and workplace. Examines development of law, relationship of law to political movements, and current state of law and legal theory on women's rights and gender equality.

PS 3490 - Alternative Dispute Resolution

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of the department chair. Theory, methods, and ethical components of alternative dispute resolution (ADR); emphasis on various forms of mediation, but including other ADR formats such as arbitration, negotiation, and summary jury trial.

PS 3500 - International Law

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1010 or permission of instructor. General principles of modern international law taught by the case study method in a seminar format encouraging debate and discussion. Issues concerning the development of international law and human rights will be studied.

PS 4590 - Administrative Law

3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005, PS 3250, or permission of instructor. Procedural aspects, substantive issues, judicial review of the type of law concerned with the powers and procedures of government agencies and the rights of citizens affected by them.

Political Science

Constitutional principles, functions, and administration of American federal government; Congress, the presidency, and the Supreme Court. A General Education Social/Behavioral Sciences course.

PS 1010 - Introduction to Global Politics
3 credit hours

Meets part of the General Education Social/Behavioral Sciences requirement. Comparative theories and institutions of government. Law, constitutions, power, political socialization, ideologies, and the media.

PS 1015 - Introduction to Political Theory
3 credit hours

Study and analysis of significant political thinkers and political ideas. Covers the three historical periods of political thought: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern. Representative thinkers and ideas from each period used to illustrate important insights differentiated in a variety of historical circumstances. Among the major theorists covered are Plato, Aristotle, Buddha, Cicero, Augustine, Aquinas, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Rousseau, Burke, Mill, Marx, Voegelin, and Rawls.

PS 2000 - Political Science and International Relations as a Prof
1 credit hour

To be taken as early as possible by Political Science and International Relations majors. Provides practical information for majors on career planning and development, including potential careers in law, graduate school and research, government, policy analysis, political campaign management, lobbying, and non-profit management.

PS 2020 - State and Local Government
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of instructor. Politics and administration at the state and local level. Legislative, judicial, and administrative structures and processes; major issues and problems.

PS 2100 - Legal Courtroom Procedure
1 credit hour

For students interested in developing trial advocacy skills; practical course offering preparation for mock trial competition. May be repeated for up to four hours credit. Pass/Fail.

Students conduct research of legal controversies, prepare briefs, and argue cases before a mock judicial panel. May be repeated for up to four hours credit. Pass/Fail.

PS 2120 - Mediation Procedure
1 credit hour

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of department chair. For students interested in developing skills as mediators and advocates in mediation settings. Practical application of theories, methods, and ethical components of mediation. Participation in intercollegiate mediation competition. May be repeated for up to four hours of credit. Pass/Fail.

PS 2130 - Model United Nations and Crisis Simulation
1 credit hour

For students interested in developing skills in negotiation and conflict resolution involving international issues. A practical application of negotiating skills, policy process, and understanding of international conflicts and problems through participation in intercollegiate MUN/crisis simulation competition. Course may be repeated for up to 4 hours of credit. Pass/Fail.

PS 2140 - Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature
1 credit hour

Students work through content and activities on legislative procedures designed to prepare them to participate in the annual Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature (TISL). May be repeated for up to 4 hours of credit. Pass/Fail.

PS 2440 - Law and the Legal System
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of instructor. A general introduction to American law and the American legal system; focus on the case system.

PS 3001 - Research Methods in Political Science
3 credit hours

Fundamentals of quantitative methods in empirical research problems in the social sciences.

PS 3010 - Women and the Law
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of the instructor. Analysis of the legal treatment of women in the home, school, and workplace. Examines development of law, relationship of law to political movements, and current state of law and legal theory on women's rights and gender equality.

PS 3050 - The U.S. Presidency
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of instructor. A comprehensive analysis of the presidency; includes origins of the presidency, political power, the nature of the institutionalized presidency, campaigns and elections, and a careful look at selected presidents.

PS 3060 - The U.S. Congress
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005. An analysis of the United States Congress; its origins, political power, the nature of the institutionalized Congress, campaigns, and elections.

PS 3100 - Politics and Film
3 credit hours

Analysis of political ideas as expressed in motion pictures. Topics include leadership, political biographies, campaigns and elections, ideology, and war.

PS 3110 - Politics and Literature
3 credit hours

A study and analysis of the intersection of politics and literature. Uses imaginative fiction to analyze central aspects of political theory, (e.g., human nature, community, power, constitutionalism, justice, equality, liberty).

PS 3160 - American Public Policy
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of instructor. Examines the public policy-making process in the United States, the stages of policy development and the problems inherent in policymaking. At least one substantive policy area examined in depth; examples: health care, environmental, welfare, agricultural, poverty, or budgetary policies.

PS 3170 - Civil Rights Policy and Politics
3 credit hours

Assesses the institutional impact--past and present--of the civil rights movement on American political institutions (the presidency, Congress, the courts, the executive cabinets, the administrative regulatory agencies, and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights). Events and topics include the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the 1991 Civil Rights Act, voter dilution, felony disenfranchisement and sentencing disparities, campaign finance reform, affirmative action, disability rights, gender discrimination, and majority-minority congressional districts.

PS 3200 - British Government and Films
3 credit hours

The evolution of parliamentary government in the United Kingdom and its current distinctive characteristics, processes, and functions in contrast to other parliamentary regimes.

PS 3210 - International Relations
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1010 or permission of instructor. The state system and national power, balance of power, balance of terror, game theory, psychological aspects of international conflict, decision making, diplomacy and negotiation, war, disarmament, and collective security.

PS 3220 - Comparative Politics
3 credit hours

Prerequisites: PS 1010 or permission of instructor. Seminar covering the theoretical literature, methodological debates, and current issues in the field of comparative politics. Offers preparation for upper-division courses in comparative politics.

Key topics and issues surrounding the political environment and competing pressures that international non-governmental organizations and domestic non-profits confront. Formal readings paired with discussions from practitioners in the field and hands-on professional exercises.

PS 3318 - Liberalism and Conservatism
3 credit hours

Examines the two major ideologies in contemporary American politics. Designed to illustrate how liberalism and conservatism provide the ideological context in which American politics conducted. Focuses on how public policy, law, political culture, and public discourse shaped by liberal and conservative ideas provide the theoretical foundation and the philosophical assumptions for political action.

PS 3320 - Public Opinion
3 credit hours

The nature of public opinion and its role in the political and social process. How opinion is shaped, created, and measured.

PS 3330 - Political Parties
3 credit hours

The nature of democracy, politics, and political parties; party organization and role in government; campaigning; primaries, conventions, general elections; the Electoral College; voting behavior and pressure groups.

PS 3335 - International Development
3 credit hours

Examines development challenges of the Global South, their origins, the role of globalization in perpetuating them, and the continuing efforts-both domestic and international-being made to resolve them.

PS 3340 - Political Campaign Management.
3 credit hours

An analysis of applied politics; how to plan and manage a modern political campaign. Readings, discussions, and hands-on projects; students will learn the strategies, tactics, and varied techniques of political campaigning.

PS 3350 - Interest Groups and Social Change
3 credit hours

Examines role of interest groups in American politics and the policymaking process, including the role of lobbyists, money, and politics, and case studies of several specific interest groups.

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of instructor. Analysis of theories of judicial decision making as well as the establishment of judicial review itself, followed by case studies of major Supreme Court decisions in federalism. Issues covered include commerce, contracts, police, and war powers as well as restrictions placed on state governments after the ratification of the Civil War Amendments. Offered fall only.

Prerequisites: PS 1005 and PS 3370 or permission of instructor. The Supreme Court as a policy-making body in the governmental system. Focuses on case studies of major Supreme Court decisions dealing with civil liberties. Issues covered include racial and gender discrimination, freedom of speech and religion, as well as rights of the criminally accused and the right to privacy. Offered spring only.

PS 3400 - Municipal Policy and Politics
3 credit hours

Powers, functions, and politics of municipal governments from the standpoint of city management. Attention is given to problems related to the execution of municipal policy. Offered infrequently.

PS 3420 - African American Politics
3 credit hours

The unique history, content, and form of African American political participation; examines the nature of consequences of African American influence within, or exclusion from, the workings of various American political institutions; the nature and types of issues that influence contemporary discussions in American and African American politics related to the socioeconomic conditions of African Americans. Students who have taken PS 4390 - Special Topics in Political Science (Black Politics in America) may not take PS 3420 for credit.

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of instructor. Analysis of the legal and social nature of government budgets emphasizing the procedures and administrative methods of fiscal control. Budget documents at state and local levels. Offered infrequently.

PS 3490 - Alternative Dispute Resolution
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of the department chair. Theory, methods, and ethical components of alternative dispute resolution (ADR); emphasis on various forms of mediation, but including other ADR formats such as arbitration, negotiation, and summary jury trial.

PS 3500 - International Law
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1010 or permission of instructor. General principles of modern international law taught by the case study method in a seminar format encouraging debate and discussion. Issues concerning the development of international law and human rights will be studied.

PS 3510 - International Political Economy
3 credit hours

Prerequisites: PS 1010 or permission of instructor. The relation between politics and economics in international affairs and its implications for global peace, security, ecology, and social welfare.

PS 3530 - Legal Writing and Research
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of instructor. A specialized composition course for the student planning to attend law school or paralegal school or to become a legal secretary. Practice in legal research, documentation, and a variety of legal problems.

PS 3550 - Democratic Participation and Civic Advocacy
3 credit hours

Focus on theories of democratic participation, the role and impact of participation in a democracy, and practical approaches to building and working through organizations advocating for candidates or particular policies or working with the government in crafting and implementing public policies.

PS 3780 - Study Abroad
3 to 6 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1010 or permission of instructor. Supervised study in a foreign country; familiarizes students with foreign cultures and political systems. Three to six hour classes may be repeated once if country of destination varies. No more than 6 hours may count toward a political science major. Pass/Fail.

PS 3910 - International Organization
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1010 or permission of instructor. Development and prospects of the United Nations Organization and its major approaches to peace--pacific settlement, collective security, international law, arms control, trusteeship, preventive diplomacy, international conferences, functionalism. Offered infrequently.

PS 4030 - Human Rights
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1010 or permission of instructor. Fosters critical thinking about human rights by developing skills in weighing powerful but opposing arguments in complex moral situations. Familiarizes students with the role of both national and international organizations in global politics.

PS 4040 - Pre-Law Internship
3 credit hours

Prerequisites: Senior standing, competitive selection, PS 2440, or by permission of instructor. Familiarizes pre-law students with general law office procedures and an active law environment.

PS 4070 - Political Violence and Terrorism
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1010 or permission of instructor. Examines political violence, including assassination, terror, repression, and genocide, in comparative and international perspectives. Theoretical and case study approaches used to examine forms, goals of, tactics, and responses to political violence.

PS 4120 - Tennessee Government
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005 or permission of instructor. Structure, functions, and processes of Tennessee's governmental and political institutions. Policy issues studied.

PS 4180 - Contemporary African Politics
3 credit hours

(Same as AAS 3180 and AST 4180.) Prerequisite: PS 1010 or permission of instructor. Comparative study of selected African political systems with different colonial traditions in the process of rapid change; trends, issues and common themes in African politics. The ideology and politics of development, political system forms and processes, development efforts, and the challenges of state and nation-building.

PS 4190 - Contemporary Middle East Politics
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1010 or permission of instructor. Comparative study of political institutions, political processes, political dynamics, and behavior in the Middle East and North Africa. Emphasizes historical, socio-cultural, and ideological forces that have shaped politics in the region, including Zionism, Islamism, Arab nationalsim, colonialism, and the Palestinian Conflict.

PS 4200 - Directed Studies
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Independent readings in a particular area under the supervision of a faculty member. May be repeated for credit when subject matter varies.

Prerequisite: PS 1010 or permission of instructor. Theoretical and empirical approaches to understanding the causes of interstate war, intrastate war, and transnational terrorism as well as the social consequences of and policy responses to international conflict.

PS 4220 - World Politics
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1010 or permission of instructor. Experiencing contemporary international politics through the medium of simulation. Particular focus areas include the U.S., F.S.U., People's Republic of China, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southern Africa.

Prerequisite: PS 1010 or permission of instructor. Foreign policies in the nuclear age from Kennan and Containment to the present with particular emphasis on contemporary problems and policies.

PS 4260 - The Political Status of Women in the World
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1010 or WGST 2100 or permission of instructor. Comparative examination of the political, economic, and social status of women in the United States and abroad. Particular emphasis on women in developing countries, the relationship between economic and political power, and the impact of both conflict and globalization on the status of women.

Prerequisites: Sophomore standing, PS 1005, and a 2.50 minimum GPA. Students work for a political campaign, a non-profit or NGO, or an interest group as a volunteer under the joint administration of the organization and the department. Only six hours may count toward a political science major and three hours toward a political science minor. Arrangement for this course must be made in advance.

PS 4280 - The Washington Experience
12 credit hours

A cooperative program with the Washington Center that provides for student service with a governmental office in Washington, D.C., on a full-time basis during the fall or spring semester. On-the-job training will be supplemented with lectures and other activities. Students selected on a competitive basis. Only six hours count toward a Political Science major or minor.

PS 4290 - Public Service Internship
1 to 12 credit hours

Prerequisites: Junior standing and 2.50 minimum GPA. Student assigned to a public service agency as an employee under the joint administration of the agency and the department. May be repeated for up to 12 hours of credit, but only six hours of internship credit may count toward a Political Science major or minor. Arrangement for this course must be made in advance.

PS 4300 - Comparative European Government
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1010 or permission of instructor. Comparative analysis of the governmental forms and practices of England, France, Germany, the European community, and others.

PS 4310 - Comparative Asian Government
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1010 or permission of instructor. Comparative analysis of the governmental forms and practices of China, Japan, India, and other governments in the region.

PS 4325 - Chinese Politics
3 credit hours

Content structured into two sections: domestic and global. The first section examines the origin, development, and future prospects of China's economy and politics. The second section focuses on China's global impact by analyzing the nature, extent, and implications of China's power on the world stage. Students will assess China's global impact along four major dimensions-economic, political, security, and cultural.

PS 4360 - Legislative Internship
3 to 12 credit hours

A cooperative program with the State of Tennessee that provides for student service with the legislature on a full-time basis during the spring semester. Students selected on a competitive basis. Only six hours may count toward a Political Science major or minor.

PS 4390 - Special Topics in Political Science
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1010 or PS 1005 or permission of the instructor. An in-depth study of a special topic significant in contemporary political developments or political science literature. May be taken more than once, as topics change, with up to six credit hours applied to a Political Science major.

PS 4590 - Administrative Law
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005, PS 3250, or permission of instructor. Procedural aspects, substantive issues, judicial review of the type of law concerned with the powers and procedures of government agencies and the rights of citizens affected by them.

Prerequisite: PS 1010, MES 2100, or permission of instructor. Examines framework within which to understand Middle East international relations. Includes Arab/Israeli conflict; oil and Middle East international relations; political Islam; the war on terror; and United States, European, Chinese, and Russian policies in the Middle East.

PS 4700 - American Political Thought
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1005, PS 1010, PHIL 1030, or permission of instructor. Major thinkers and movements in American political thought from colonial times to the twentieth century with special emphasis on the thoughts of the framers of the American Constitution and their contemporaries.

PS 4770 - Russian Politics
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: PS 1010 or permission of instructor. The formation and evolution of the Russian state from the pre-Communist to the Soviet (Communist) and post-Soviet stages of its development. Special attention given to the historical origins and the role of authoritarianism in the Russian political culture and to the ideological foundations, formation, evolution, and the reasons for decline of the Communist system.

PS 4800 - Senior Seminar
3 credit hours

Prerequisites: PS 1005, PS 1010, and 12 additional hours of political science courses. A reading and discussion seminar designed to integrate knowledge of the subfields of political science through critical reflection on politics, law, ideology, and culture from both a domestic and global perspective.

PS 4801 - Senior Seminar in International Relations
3 credit hours

Prerequisites: PS 1010, PS 3001, PS 3210, and PS 3220 as well as 6 hours electives in the major. A reading and discussion seminar focused on the subfields of international relations and comparative politics, the practical application of theories, preparation for professional work or graduate study following graduation, and assessment of student learning outcomes for the program.

PS 4820 - Advanced Studies in American Politics
3 credit hours

Prerequisites: PS 1005, PS 1010, and one upper-division course in American Politics. Advanced study in the area of American politics. May be repeated for credit when subject matter varies.

Prerequisite: PS 1005, PS 1010, or PHIL 1030 or permission of instructor. Aims to foster critical thinking about contemporary political philosophy by introducing students to four main approaches: Aristotelianism, Utilitarianism, Contractarian Liberalism, and Marxism. Familiarizes students with certain philosophical arguments about important issues in both national and global politics such as multiculturism, justice, democracy, and freedom.

PS 4950 - Community-Based Research Practicum
1 to 6 credit hours

Supervised planning and carrying out applied social research project defined in partnership with a local civic group, nonprofit agency, or public department. Students may work individually or in groups or up to six. A final report is presented to the community partner at the end of the course. Projects must be approved prior to enrollment by the department's student research committee.

PS 4970 - Undergraduate Research
1 to 6 credit hours

Students pursue their own topics and fields of concentration under the supervision of a political science faculty member. Working with the faculty member, the student will design and conduct independent research, with the final paper presented at a conference or a public forum on campus.